Friday 20th September 2019

Jools has been getting dizzy spells, and so after a visit to the doctor, a scan in Ashford was arranged.

The dizzy spells are not serious, not last long, but needed checking out. I would go along in case she couldn't drive back.

As the appointment was at eleven, but in hospitals that could mean waiting until two, the day was needed, so I set an out of office message on Thursday.

Jools did feel well enough to go to yoga. I say well enough, the dizzy spells take place once every two days or so, and last a few minutes, so going to yoga would help with mind and body.

So, I dropped Jools off in Dover at twenty past six, and as it was such a fine and sunny morning, I drove to St Martin's Battery to watch the sun rise away in the south east. And below, the town wake up.

I had the battery all to my self, it was cool and breezy, but the lights of Calais still twinkled on the horizon, and ferries plied their way across the Channel, winding their between the dozen or so freight ships travelling down towards the open waters of the Atlantic.

In quarter of an hour, the sun rose, the sky caught fire and i rattled off a few shots.

I then drove back down to the promenade, parked up. Then walked to the new bridge and marina, taking a few snaps, getting back in the car at half seven, in time for Jools to come out, so we could go back home for breakfast and get ready to go to the hospital.

In the end she was seen by twelve, went in to have the scan. Nothing obvious showed up, but we will wait to see the more detailed results.

I drove us to the huge Tesco nearby where we had a snack lunch and did our weekly shop before going home.

Not knowing how the day was going to pan out thus far, I had arranged a visit to a church late in the afternoon, at a time when I would have finished work, Jools would have been back from work, and i had time to get to the other side of Faversham. It was still a glorious, warm afternoon, so I drive down the A2 past Canterbury to Faversham, then following the sat nav, down a maze of narrow lanes through Ospringe, Painter's Forstal, Sheldwich and Leaveland, before heading out into the boondocks to Otterden.

I had been trying to arrange a visit to the estate chapel at Otterden Court for some weeks, the last attempt failed as the key to the door was lost. And my planned visit on Saturday had to be rearranged from Saturday, as we would be in London.

So, a time of four in the afternoon was agreed, so a few minutes before I found myself driving our dusty Corsa up the tree-lined gravel drive to a minor stately home, looking very much like Downton Abbey. Although I have never watched it. I parked outside the grand courtyard, walked to the huge gates, I could see no one about. The only thing to do was to walk to the "house" and see if my contact, David, was in.

So, there was shabby old Jelltex walking to the grand and large door. I knocked hard, and the sound echoed through the house.

I knocked again.

Nothing.

I saw a sign, go to the next door and ring the bell if no answer.

OK.

I walk through an arch to a smaller door. There were two ancient bell pulls. Neither made a bell ring.

I knocked again.

There was a sound, as a sleek Jaguar swept past, the driver jumped when he saw me. And it was gone.

So, I walk to the chapel, and in a couple of minutes, the Jaguar returned, stopping beside me. My well-spoken friend got out and shook my hand.

David?

Ian.

He had the large key!

So, he took me to the church, told me of the history of the church, and the family who once owned the house and church.

The line died out to three childless siblings, and the hous

e fell into a property company, and David had a lease on the house, but it is huge and on closer inspection you could see it is in need of much care and maintenance. The church was opened, 18th century, un altered, and still with the original Chippendale pews. Three monuments from the original church were reloacted int he new church, and looked splendid.

I went round getting my shots as David retired back to the car to wait.

I was done in twenty minutes, so locked the church and handed the key back.

It is unclear what will happen to either the house or church now, the church should be OK, but the house, who wants to live in a twenty five bedroomed house wit acres of land and a stable block to look after too?

Looks like a money pit to me.

I leave David and walk back to the car before setting off down the drive, and then back home.

I arrive home at half five, time to make nachos and relax with a cold beer as we demolish what was left of the hot salsa.

Yummy.

And being a Friday, it was Monty night, so we settle down to watch some flower porn before going to bed.

A big day in that London in the morning.